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I bought a new hitchlock and wheelclamp a few months ago. Mainly to satisfy the conditions of the insurance, but I did buy what I considered to be the most suitable product (ie strong) without spending a fortune.

What I noticed is that there were gadgets ranging from those that could be removed with a swiss army knife trough to those that would need a nuclear missile, but I also noticed that the plastic and bent coathanger types were still quite expensive even though they were the cheapest available.

I asked the caravan club for a minimum specification for the wheel clamp to be fitted to satisfy thier insurance requirements and they did not have one, only that it had to be a commercially manufactured wheel clamp.

I have a big chain and padlock for my motorbike, and when it is fitted through the alloy wheel and loooped round the chassis would be a lot more difficult to remove than most wheelclamps but is apparently not suitable.

Having read of many incidents wherby the theives have removed security gizmos quicker without keys than most people who actually have the keys, isnt it about time these manufaturers were challanged as to whether these things are fit for purpose ? After all, when you buy a wheel clamp you expect it to provide added security to theives armed with tools a bit more sophisitcated than a bent 20p coin. It leads me to think, that if no insurance company has tried to sue a company making wheel clamps for failing to protect the vehicle than they must all be in cahoots to extort money from us, maybe the leading security manufacturers are actually owned by the insurance companies?

Isnt it about time they started to arm the gadgets with CS gas or indelible ink that is sprayed when the device is attacked ? Should the thief receive a very large dose of electricity when he forces the lock ? Should we be allowed to shoot dead any one trying to steal our property ? You would probably get away with any of these in the USA.

Well said, both of you. Saying what many of us think. Of course, we all know that deep down, litigation culture and the world of PC-ness means that we ought to make theives' lives as safe as possible so as not to compromise their human rights.

My trailer is protected by the previuosly described flimsy, but insurance company required, wheel clamp and hitch lock. The trailer also contains a huge bomb with a 5-minute delay, the fuse of which is chained to my house.

TT.

Quote: Originally posted by raymcm on 22/4/2007

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I bought a new hitchlock and wheelclamp a few months ago. Mainly to satisfy the conditions of the insurance, but I did buy what I considered to be the most suitable product (ie strong) without spending a fortune.

I asked the caravan club for a minimum specification for the wheel clamp to be fitted to satisfy thier insurance requirements and they did not have one, only that it had to be a commercially manufactured wheel clamp.

I have a big chain and padlock for my motorbike, and when it is fitted through the alloy wheel and loooped round the chassis would be a lot more difficult to remove than most wheelclamps but is apparently not suitable.

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A heavy duty chain is acceptable to the C.C. insurance.  I queried this point last October, and I still have their confirmatory e-mail on file to prove it.

I also found a company which produces High Resistance Security Chain, which is case-hardened.   The chain I am considering will take a padlock with a 12mm diameter bolt.

Their website is http://www.absoluteindustrial.co.uk/products

The chain product code is SC13 and weight is 3.92 kg/metre.   Price in November 2006 was £17.80/metre.

Bertie.

A metre of chain should be enough to go through the wheel and around the chassis. Because it is flexible, it would not be easy to hold for cutting, and the case-hardening would resist bolt cutters, especially as the chain links are 13mm diameter in cross-section.

The chain and padlock would also be easier to store for travelling.

Bertie.

Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 23/4/2007

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A heavy duty chain is acceptable to the C.C. insurance.  I queried this point last October, and I still have their confirmatory e-mail on file to prove it.

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They told me I had to have a purpose made wheel clamp, even one made of bendy metal and locked with a plastic two digit combination lock as long as it say "wheel clamp" on the box basically.

I have bought one now anyway, and it looks quite strong, but I am sure it could be broken open.